Tape applying device



Feb. 8, 1938. Q s, MUNRO 2,107,900

TAPE APPLYING DEVI CE Fild Sept: 28, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 8, 1938. c. s. MUNRO TAPE APPLYING DEVICE Filed Sept. 28, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IHH INVENTOR CHARLES S. MUNRO A TTORNE c. s. MUNRO TAPE APPLYING DEVICE .Feb. s, 1938.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 28, 1956 FIG.6.

INVENTOR CHARLES S. MUNRO A TTORNEYS 30 the tape.

Patented Feb. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TAPE APPLYING DEVICE Charles S. Munro, Detroit, Mich.

Application September 28, 1936, Serial No. 103,059 13 Claims. (01. zi -as) This invention relates generally to apparatus for applying tape to members for attaching the same together and refers more particularly to a device for securing separable parts ,of a container' in assembled relationship.

v 'One of the principal objects of the present invention resides in the provision of a tape applying apparatus having means for feeding one .end portion of a continuous length of tape to a predetermined position relative to the parts to be .secured together, and having means effective upon relative movement of the end portion of the tape and parts toward each other to sucoessively sever a fixed length of tape from the '35 free end portion thereof and to apply the severed I portion to the parts in a manner to secure the same in assembled relationship.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of apparatus of the character set forth embodying means for periodically advancing the tape to locate a predetermined length of the free end portion of the tape in a position to be engaged by the parts to be joined.

Another feature of this invention consists in the provision of apparatus having a support for the parts to be joined movable toward the tape carrying mean into engagement with the free end 1 portion of the tape to fold the latter portion over the parts and to sever said end portion from I Another advantageous feature of the present invention resides in the provision of means effective upon movement of the support in a direction away from the tape carying means to advance the tape a sufiicient distance to locate a predetermined length of the free end portion of the tape in a position to be engaged by the parts on the support when the latter isagain moved in a direction toward the tape carrying means.

'40 A-further feature of this invention resides in be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: I Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a tape applying device constructed in. accordanc with thisginvention;

parts thereof in a different position;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional View illustrating the relative positions of the tape carrying member and parts to be joined together just prior to engagement of the latter with the tape; 30

' Figure 6 is a similar view illustrating the parts in Figure 5 in a diiferent position;

Figure '7 is a sectional View taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line l'l of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a sectional View taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 8-8 of Figure 2; and

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 99 of Fig- 0 ure 2.

Although the specific embodiment of the present invention illustrates the tape applying apparatus as operable to secure cooperating parts of a container together, nevertheless, it will be understood as this description proceeds, that the principles involved may be used with equal facility in practically all instances where it is desired to attach members together by tape.

In general, a roll A of tape having an adhesive 3:) preparation on one surface thereof is supported on the frame B of the machine for rotation, and the free end of this tape is extended partially around spokes 0 extending radially outwardly from the tape carrying wheel D. The end of 3:) the tape is secured to the extremities of the spokes C so that the tape is advanced upon rotation of the wheel D in the direction of the arrow E and, in the present instance, each spoke is provided with one or more prongs F for this purpose. Upon reference to Figures 5 and 6, it will be noted that the tape is actually supported on the wheel D by resilient pads G disposed between adjacent spokes and cemented, or other-, wise permanently secured thereto. The pads 43 G may be formed of sponge rubber or some other material possessing the flexibility required to assume the position shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, when the parts of the container H are 50 moved toward the wheel D between adjacent spokes of the latter. It will be observed from Figure 6 that the flexible pads G conform ex- :actly to the contour of the portion of the parts of the container H adapted to betaped and, as

' together.

a consequence, the tape is firmly applied to the container.

The container H, having the parts to be joined together by the tape, is positioned upon a support I mounted for reciprocation toward and away from the axis of the wheel D. The support has a slot J therethrough exposing a portion of the container and having a width sufiicient to receive the periphery of the wheel D upon movement of the support to its innermost position, shown in Figure 6. The relative position of the wheel D and support I is such that when the latter is moved radially inwardly toward. the axis of the former, the container H engages the free end portion K of the tape midway between the adjacent spokes. Initial engagement of the container H with the free end portion K of the tape, tensions the latter sufficiently to cause the knife Lon one of the spokes to sever the end portion K from the tape. As the container H continues to move inwardly, the pad G is compressed, and the severed end portion of the tape is applied to the container in the manner shown in Figure 6. It will, of course, be understood that each of the spokes C is equipped with a knife L, and the cutting edges of the latter are positioned slightly inwardly from the points of the prongs immediately adjacent the latter, so as to effectively sever the tape as soon as the same is tensioned by engagement of the container therewith.

The support I carrying the container is returned to its normal position shown in Figure 5 by suitable coil springs Mrshown in Figure 2, and provision is made for concurrently advancing the wheel D to locate the end portion of the tape between the next adjacent pair of spokes in a position to be engaged by the container when the latter is again moved inwardly against the ac-' tion of the springs. The means for advancing the wheel D is actuated by the support I as it is returned to its normal position, and this means will be more fully hereinafter set forth in the detailed description of the apparatus.

Referring now more in detail to the tape applying apparatus, it will be noted that the roll of tape A is mounted on a spool l0 rotatably supported on a stud H carried by a member 12 slidably engaging an elongated slot l3 in the frame B of the machine. The elongated slot I 3 extends in the direction of feed of the tape from the spool, and the tape is placed under a slight tension by a spring it normally urging the bearing member l2 in a direction opposite the direction of feed of the tape.

'As briefly stated above, the wheel D carries the tape and, as shown in Figure 7, the wheel Dis rotatably mounted at one side of the frame B on a stud I5 supported in a boss 5 formed integral with the frame B. The spokes C extend radially outwardly from the periphery of the wheel in circumferential spaced relationship, and the distance between the outer ends of the spokes is predetermined to provide the length of tape re-' quired to secure the two parts of the container A As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the rear sides of the spokes C adjacent the outer ends thereof are cut away to form recesses I! for receiving the knives L and prongs F. In the present instance, each spoke is provided with one knife L and a pair of prongs F spaced from each other axially of the wheel to engage the tape adjacent the side edges of the latter. The knives L and prongs'F are secured against the rear surfaces of the recesses IT by means of suitable clamps 18 located in the recesses 11. The prongs F extend beyond the outer ends of the spokes a sufiicient distance to pierce the sides of the tape adjacent the wheel, and the cutting edges of the knives are positioned slightly inwardly from the inner surface of the tape in order to sever the free end portions of the tape upon initial deflection of these portions inwardly by the container H. The portions of the tape between the knives are supported by the flexible pads G interposed between adjacent spokes and having the extremities cemented, or otherwise permanently secured to the spokes.

In the present instance, the support I for the container His in the form of an angle member mounted on the frame B of the machine for reciprocation in directions toward and away from the axis of rotation of the wheel D. The means for mounting the angle support on the frame B comprises a pair of rods 26 spaced from each other in the plane of the frame B and having the upper ends respectively secured'to the vertical and horizontal flanges 2! and 22 of the support I. As shown in Figure 2, the rods extend diagonally on opposite sides of'the'axis of rotation of the wheel D and are slidably supported in bushings 23 formed integral with the frame B. The lower extremities of the rods are threaded for receiving the clamping nuts 24 and the location of the latter on the rods determines the position of the support I relative to the periphery of the wheel D. The nuts 24 are yieldably urged into engagement with the undersides of the lowermost bushings 23 by means of the coil springs M surrounding the rods between the bushings and having the upper ends 'engageable with stops 25 varied by adjusting the nuts 24 on the lower extremities of the rods. The rods 20 support the angle support I on the frame B in such a manner that the corner 2! of the latter, formed by the flanges 2| and 22, moves on a line extending radially from the axis of rotation of the T wheel D, so that the thrust resulting from the application of the tape to the container H is taken directly by the stud l5 upon which the wheel D is mounted. V

The arrangement is such that 'when the supi port I is moved diagonally downwardly against.

the action of the springs M, the portions of the container H exposed by the slot J through the support engages the free end portion of the tape at a point substantially midway between the adjacent spokes C of the wheel D. As will be observed from Figure 6, initial engagement of the container H with the free end portion of the tape compresses the adjacent pad G sufficiently to cause the knife L on the trailingspoke C of the wheel to sever the free end portion from the tape and to tear the free edge of the latter portion of the tape from theprongs on the leading spoke. As the container continues to move downwardly, the pad G is further compressed to conform with the corner of the container H and functions to apply the severed portion of the tape to this corner of the container. The force applied to the container H to move the support I to its lowermost position is then relieved, (and. the springs M operate to return the support to its inoperative position.

As the support I returns to its normal or inoperative position shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, the wheel 13 is advanced to register the next adjacent end portion of the tape with the slot J in the support. The means for accomplishing this result is shown in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawing-s. In detail, a pawl 30 is pivoted at its upper end to the flange 2| of the support I by means of the pin 3|, and is provided with a hook 32 at the lower end adapted to successively engage a plurality'of pins 33 secured to the wheel D. The pins 33 are concentrically arranged with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel D, and are spaced from each other circumferentially of the wheel. The spacing betweenadjacent pins is accurately predetermined so that when the wheel D is periodically rocked a corresponding distance about its axis, the pads G between the spokes are successively registered with the corner- 2l of the support I. It will be observed from Figure 1 that the lower end of the pawl 30 is inclined to form a cam surface 34, and this surface is effective upon downward movement of the sup-" 34 until the hook 32 clears the pin, whereupon it falls by gravity into a position behind the latter.

' Thuspwhen the support: I is returned by the springs M to its uppermost position, the hook 32 l on the pawl 36 engages the pin aforesaid and 1 3o.

; E a sufiicient distance to position the next adjarocks the wheel D in the direction of the arrow cent pad G in operative relation with the supeach time the latter is returned to its normal inoperative position.

In order to hold the wheel D stationary during movement of the support I to apply the tape to the container H, I providetwo stops 35 and 36 pivotally supported at their lower ends on the frame B of the machine at diametrically opposite sides oi the axis of rotation of the wheel D. The upper end of the stop 35 is positioned to successively engage the pins 33 and prevent rotation of the wheel D in a direction opposite to the arrow E, and the upper end of the stop 36 successively engages the pins 33 to prevent rotation of the wheel D in the direction of the arrow E. Inasmuch as the stop 35 is positioned to prevent reverse rotation of the wheel D, the same is D in the direction of the arrow E by the pawl 30.

' On the other hand, the stop 35 must be positively moved to successively release the same from the pins when the support I is moved from its operative position to its inoperative position. This is accomplished by means of a latch member 31 pivotally supported, as at 38, on the underside of the flange 22 of the support I and having a notch '39 in the lower edge thereof intermediate the ends the notch 39 in the latch member is such that when the support Iis moved to its lowermost position, the notch 39 registers with the guide 40 and is urged into engagement with the latter by the spring 45 acting on the latch member .31. Upon initial movement of the support I to its inoperative position by the springs M, the shoulder 4l of the notch 39 engages the guide 40 and moves the stop 36 out of engagement with the adjacent pin 33. As the support I continues to move outwardly, the pawl 30 advances the wheel, and as soon as the pin 33 just relieved by the stop 36 is moved beyond the latter, a cam member 42 on the frame B engages a cam surface 43 on the latch member 31 and moves the latter 7 against the action of the spring 45 a sufiicient distance upwardly to release'the guide 40 on the stop 36 from the shoulder 4| on the latch member 31. As soon as the stop 36 is released, the same falls by gravity to a position wherein it intercepts the pin 33 following the pin previously engaged thereby. When the support I reaches the limit of its upward movement, the cam member 42 is released from the cam surface 43 on the latch member 31, and the latter is returned to the position thereof shown in Figure 1 by the spring 45. Thus, it will be apparent that the wheel D is held against movement in either direction during the interval the end portion of the tape is applied to. the container H to secure the parts of the latter together. It will also be observed that periodic advancement of the wheel D and operation of the stops is efiected automatically in dependence upon reciprocation of the support I to apply the tape to the container.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In apparatus for securing separable parts together, a revoluble member carrying a length of tape, a carriage for the parts to be secured together mounted for movement toward and away from the revoluble member to respectively engage the parts with the tape and to withdraw the same from said member, and means effective upon movement of the carriage in a direction away from the revoluble member to advance the latter.

2. In apparatus for securing separable parts together, a revoluble member carrying a length of tape, a carriage for the parts to be secured together mounted for movement in directions toward and away from the revoluble member to respectively engage the parts with the tape and to withdraw the same from said member, means for holding said member against rotation in one direction during movement of the carriage toward the member, and means for releasing said last named means upon movement by the carriage in a direction away from said member.

'3. In apparatus for securing separable parts together, a revoluble member carrying a length of tape, a carriage for the parts to be secured together mounted for movement toward and away from the revoluble member to respectively engage the parts with the tape and to withdraw the same 'from said member, means engageable with said member during movement of the carriage toward the member for holding the latter against rotation in one direction, means for releasing said last named means upon initial movement of the carriage in a direction away from said revoluble member, and means effective upon continued movement of the carriage away from the revoluble member to advance the latter.

4. In apparatus for securing separable parts together, a member carrying a length of tape and supported for rotation in one direction to advance the tape, a carriage for the parts to be secured together mounted for movement toward and away from the revoluble member to respectively engage the parts with the tape and to withdraw the parts from said member, means engageable with the revoluble member preventing rotation of the latter in a direction opposite the direction of rotation aforesaid, means also engageable with the rotatable member to prevent rotation of the same in a direction to advance the tape when the carriage is moved toward said member, and means actuated by the carriage upon movement of the latter in a direction away from the member to release the last named means from said member.

5. In apparatus for securing separable parts together, a revoluble member carrying a length of tape, a carriage for the parts to be secured together mounted for movement toward and away from the revoluble member to respectively engage the parts with the tape and to withdraw the same from said member, means engageable with the member to prevent rotation of the latter inone direction upon movement of the carriage toward said member, means operated by the carriage upon initial movement of the same in a direction away from the member to release said holding means, means actuated by the carriage upon continued movement of the same in a direction away from the revoluble member to advance the latter, and means controlled by the carriage upon movement of the latter in a direction away from the revoluble member to provide for re-engagement of the holding means with said revoluble member.

6. In apparatus for securing separable parts together, a revoluble member carrying a length of tape, a carriage for the parts to be secured together mounted-for movement toward and away from the revoluble member to respectively engage the parts with the tape and to withdraw the I same from said member, means effective upon movement of the carriage toward the revoluble member to sever a portion of predetermined length from the tape and to apply this portion to the parts, and means actuated by said carriage upon movement of the latter in a direction away from the revoluble member to advance the latter a distance predetermined to position another portion of the tape in registration with said carriage.

'7. In apparatus for securing separable parts together, a revoluble member carrying a length of tape, a carriage for the parts to be secured together mounted for movement toward and away from the revoluble member to respectively engage the parts with the tape and to withdraw the same from said member, means efi'ective upon movement of the carriage in a direction toward the revoluble member to sever a portion of predetermined length from the tape and to apply this portion to the parts, means for holding the revoluble member against rotation in one direction during the application of the tape to said parts, means eifective upon initial move-v ment of the carriage in a direction away from the revoluble member to release said holding means, and means actuated by the carriage upon continued movement of the latter in a direction away from the revoluble member to advance the latter an increment predetermined to register another portion of the tape with the carriage.

8. In apparatus for securing separable parts together, a revoluble member carrying a length of tape, a carriage for the parts to be secured together mounted for movement toward and away from the revoluble member to respectively engage the parts with the tape andto withdraw the same from said member, means effective upon movement of the carriage in a direction toward the revoluble member to sever a portion of predetermined length from the tape and to apply this portion to the parts, means for holding the revoluble member against rotation in one direction'during the application of the tape to said parts, means efiective upon initial movement of the carriage in a direction away from the revoluble member to release said holding means, means actuated by the carriage upon continued movement of the latter in a direction away from the revoluble member'to advance the latter an increment predetermined to registeranother portion of the tape with the carriage, and means also responsive to movement of the. carriage in a direction away from the revoluble member to re-engage the holding means with said revoluble member. 1

9. In apparatus for securing separable parts together, a revoluble member having radially extending circumferentially spaced spokes, means carried by the spokes for securing a length of tape to the outer ends thereof, a carriage for the parts to be secured together mounted for movement toward and away from the revoluble member to respectively engage the parts with the portion of the tape between adjacent spokes and to withdraw the same from the revoluble member, and means carried by the spokes and effect-ive'upon engagement of the parts with the portion'of the tape between the spokes to sever said portion from the tape.

10.. In apparatus for securing separable parts together, a revoluble member having radially extending circumferentially spaced spokes, means carried by the spokes for securing a length of tape to the outer ends thereof, a carriage for the parts to be secured together mounted for movement toward and away from the revoluble member to respectively engage the parts with the portion of the tape between'adjacent spokes and to withdraw the same from the revoluble membe'r, means carried by the spokes and eifective upon engagement of parts with the portion of the tape between the spokes to sever said portion from the tape, and means carried by the revoluble member between the spokes for applying a severed portion of the tape to said parts.

11. In apparatus for securing separable parts together, a revoluble member carrying a length of tape, a carriage for the parts to be secured together supported for movement in directions toward and away from said revoluble member to respectively engage the parts with the tape and to Withdraw the same from the revoluble member, and means for periodically advancing the revoluble member to successively locate different portions of the tape in position to be engaged bysaid parts.

12. In apparatus for securing separable parts together, a revoluble member having'circumferentially spaced recesses in the periphery thereof, a tape having a portion secured to the periphery of said member and extending over the recesses, a ,carriage'for the parts to be secured together supported for movement in directionstoward and away from said'member to respectively engage the parts with the tape and to withdraw the same from the revoluble member, and means for periodically advancing the revoluble member to successively locate the portions of the tape extending over' the recesses in position to be engaged by said parts.

13. In apparatus for securing separable parts together, a revoluble member having circumierentially spaced recesses in the periphery thereof, a tape having a portion secured to the periphery of said member and extending over the recesses.

,a carriage for the parts to be secured together supported for movement in directions toward and away from said member to respectively engage the parts with the tape and to withdraw the same from the revoluble member, means for periodically advancing the revo-luble member to suecessively locate the portions of the tape extending over the recesses in position to be engaged by said parts, and means effective upon engagement of the parts with the portions aforesaid of the tape to sever said portions from the tape. CHARLES S. MUNRO. 

